Battery-filled Sinkhole Found Safe - For The Time Being

January 29, 1985|by RANDY KRAFT, The Morning Call

No immediate threat to human health is "apparent" from a sinkhole filled with battery cases in Upper Saucon Township but "potential risks exist" to a number of nearby domestic wells because high levels of toxic chemicals have been detected in the hole.

That's the essence of the first in a series of reports that may lead to the eventual cleanup of the sinkhole - a federally designated "Superfund" hazardous waste site about five miles south of Allentown.

Two reports have been done for the State Department of Environmental Resources - which is taking the lead in investigating the Voortman farm site - by Ecology and Environment, Inc., a Buffalo, N.Y., environmental consulting company with offices in Harrisburg.

One of the documents amounts to a compilation of all that is known about the Voortman site so far. The other is a proposal for doing more detailed studies to determine both the extent of contamination and what, if anything, should be done to end the threat.

More detailed studies are expected to take about 20 months to complete. Apparently it is not certain when that work will begin. That means any actual cleanup could still be two years away - seven years after environmental officials became aware of the potential hazard in the sinkhole.

Yesterday a DER spokesman said a public meeting on the two reports "will be set up very shortly." The spokesman said, "We will solicit public input" at the meeting. The reports were completed last month, but apparently have not been made public by DER. Copies were sent to The Morning Call by State Rep. Don Snyder, who has been trying to get action on the sinkhole for several years.

Cost of the studies done so far on the Voortman site and of the more detailed evaluations being recommended could not be obtained from DER yesterday.

The sinkhole is on a 43-acre property, owned by John and Henry Voortman, between Vera Cruz Road and Limeport Pike, next to the Wedgewood golf course. During late 1979 and early 1980, the hole was filled with an estimated 10,000 automobile battery cases, tires, empty drums and other debris.

About 960 people with wells live within three miles of the sinkhole but there are no private drinking wells within a quarter-mile radius, according to the documents.

"There are a number of private domestic wells in the area which could potentially be affected by the Voortman farm site," according to the reports.

The information states heavy metal concentrations in those wells were found to be below the "maximum contaminant levels" during annual tests done by DER from 1980 to 1983, but warns potential risks exist because of high levels detected in battery cases within the sinkhole. "Pollutants of potential concern at the Voortman farm site include inorganic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, chromium and zinc," the reports indicate.

According to the reports, the maximum contamination level for lead is 50 parts per billion, but levels at 49,500 ppb were found in the sinkhole. The acceptable level for cadmium is 10 ppb, but concentrations at 24 ppb were found in the hole. The level for zinc is 5,000 ppb, but concentrations at 10,350 ppb were found.

"Elevated concentrations of various other heavy metals were also detected in the Voortman sinkhole," state the reports.

The documents warn that "several other sinkholes on adjoining properties have also served as disposal areas for similar wastes." Those wastes also "may be adding to contamination within the area." The documents indicate those sinkholes also may be included in the study.

The reports note that in the fall of 1979, before the batteries were dumped there, a hydrogeologist rappelled into the 170-foot deep Voortman hole and found a "swift underground watercourse flowing into a cavern" at its base.

"The high concentrations of heavy metals detected in the sinkhole, in conjunction with the underground water course, may pose a threat of contamination to the groundwater in the area."

Not only do chemicals present a hazard, but ground around the edge of the sinkhole is unstable, making it dangerous to go near the hole. "There are currently no fences or other security measures at the site," state the reports. "All contact with any materials, soils or water within the sinkhole should be avoided."

When the next step of the investigation begins, warning signs will be posted at 100-foot intervals along Vera Cruz Road in the vicinity of the sinkholes. Additional signs will be placed around the holes.

DER has been involved with the sinkhole for nearly five years, but has been unable to enforce its own orders that the site be cleaned up and groundwater contamination studied.

DER ordered a cleanup of the sinkhole in the summer of 1980, but the Voortmans appealed to the State Environmental Hearing Board. According to the reports, that appeal was withdrawn on Feb. 4, 1981. But yesterday a DER spokesman said the department's attorneys are not aware the appeal was withdrawn.